Cocktails with The Consuls

Inaugural event attracts overwhelming, diverse crowd Consuls General of Uzbekistan and Japan fly in day before; Seven honorary consuls take part.

The first annual Cocktails with the Consuls took place at the Parisian Palace in Las Vegas, to the acclaim of an at-capacity, unusual collection of guests.

At-capacity crowd of dignitaries converges on the Parisian Palace for Cocktails with the Consuls
International business people, political candidates, personal and corporate security specialists, former CIA, FBI, State Department and Special Forces officers mixed with diplomats, entertainers, celebrities, corporate sponsors and local Las Vegas society, in a renaissance of international business and investment opportunity.

It was a great function. Congratulations to the Las Vegas Consular community for this great evening. Ditto on the recognition of Nico, Jonathan and Paulina. Nico’s design skills are incredible. What a wonderful venue. I will see you all again soon. Thanks for the opportunity, I enjoyed it very much. -Gary Furlong, Honorary Consul General of Uzbekistan.

Included in the honored guests were:

• Mr. Ken Walther, decorated former CIA officer
• The Hon. Gary Furlong, Honorary Consul General of Uzbekistan
• The Hon. Kathleen Blakely, Honorary Consul General of Japan
• The Hon. Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl, Honorary Consul of Chile and Member of the Board of Directors of the World Federation of Consuls
• The Hon. Jerome Snyder, Honorary Consul of Great Britain
• The Hon. John Petkus, Honorary Consul of Poland
• The Hon. Dr. Aldo Aguirre, Honorary Vice-Consul of Guatemala
• The Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Vanderpal, Honorary Consul of Slovakia*
• The Hon. Senator Roberto Benvenuti (ITALY)

Guests were treated to a brief talk by Consul General Gary Furlong, who’s legendary and daring work in the former Soviet Union is chronicled in the book “Who the Hell is Bob” by Steve Rudman.

Following Gary our keynote speaker was Ken Walther, a decorated veteran of nearly three decades as a CIA officer. Ken’s work in 100 countries is chronicled in several books, and the unique secret technology department he helped develop is the subject of the book “Spycraft“ by Robert Wallace. Event photos available on the Facebook page of The Palace Club: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=139578899396

*Dr. Vanderpal is the immedate past consul in Las Vegas, Nevada and is Consul Applicant in Austin, Texas